Anupama death: probe panel meets kin; examines record

The inquiry committee constituted to investigate the death of schoolgirl Anupama due to the alleged negligence of doctors at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, met for the first time on Friday. However, the committee couldn't reach any conclusion in its first meeting.

According to committee chairman Dr SS Gill, they will have to meet a couple of times more to draw a conclusion. Dr Gill is vice-chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot.

The other members of the committee are Dr Rajiv Wadhera, medical superintendent, government multi-speciality hospital- sector 16 and Dr YK Batra of department of anesthesia, PGIMER. Dr Vipin Koushal, assistant professor, department of hospital administration, PGIMER, is the convener of the committee.

Dr Gill said the first meeting focused on understanding the incident and listening to the family's complaint. Sources revealed that besides meeting the family, the inquiry committee also visited the Advanced Trauma Centre. The committee also examined the medical records of Anupama as well as the records of Advanced Trauma Centre.

Dr Gill said in the next meetings, doctors who treated Anupama would be called.

Anupama's father Amit Sarkar, meanwhile, said they have told the entire story to the committee how PGIMER doctors refused to provide timely treatment to their daughter, which led to her death.

A student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18 and a resident of Mauli Jagran complex, Anupama's leg was crushed under a CTU bus on July 17. She was taken to PGIMER's trauma centre, but she died on July 24.

The family alleged that Anupama was not given proper care at PGIMER's Advanced Trauma Centre. Her treatment was delayed, which first led to amputation of her leg and then to infection in her entire body that led to gas gangrene.